Balloonacy

It won an Oscar, played film festivals, moved on to slots on "educational TV" -- back when there was such a thing -- and finally ended its life in 16mm film showings in schools.

And yet -- unlike so many other films that aped that same trajectory -- the 1956 "The Red Balloon" is actually a wonderful movie. And well worth re-discovering.

The story of a boy and his crimson helium-filled plaything, it's not just a lovely snapshot of mid-50's Paris. It's a sweet fable of affection, loyalty and adventure -- and by its end, you'll care far more about this playground bit of rubber than you do about most movie characters.

There's a not particularly well-thought out new homage due next month, called "Flight of the Red Balloon." But on Saturday, you can luxuriate in the original -- along with "White Mane," a lesser-known French children's film, but probably a strong influence on "The Black Stallion" -- at the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre

Visit the Jersey City theater's site to find out more about the film (and other Francophile films this weekend, including Cocteau's sublime "Beauty and the Beast," and the Paris-set "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," with Charles Laughton.)

And if you do go, wonder at a children's film -- that, when many current movies can't get you to care about their heroes and heroines -- actually brings you to the edge of your seat in your worries over a toy.